Romance as affirmed by tragedy: former ivories driver with YES details the September 11th course to find the meaning of life.
Less celebrated than his successors – Messrs. Wakeman, Moraz and Downes – despite his prominent presence on YES’ biggest hit Owner Of A Lonely Heart that signaled his return to the fold, Tony Kaye, as surprising as it may seem, has never had a solo career. VIAC Tony Kaye – End Of Innocence (2021)→
End Of Innocence
Tony Kaye
Prog Rock
Spirit Of Unicorn Music
2021
CD
16
I clearly remember hearing the debut Unruly Child album nearly 30 years ago and being blown away by their style of melodic hard rock which not only was catchy with great vocals but also kept a definite edge which prevented it from disappearing in a great pile of sugar. VIAC Unruly Child – Our Glass House (2020)→
Our Glass House
Unruly Child
Hard Rock, AOR
Frontiers Music SRL
2020
CD
12
Taking friends on board, Aussie axeman fights the forlornness of his blues.
Often preferring to perform in a one-man-band format, this Welsh-born guitarist brandishes has long made raw sonics a part of his musical method, but when a song dictates a more polished approach, Gwyn Ashton can be unexpectedly soulful. VIAC GWYN ASHTON – Lonely On The Run (2021)→
Lonely On The Run
Gwyn Ashton
Blues Rock
Gwyn Ashton Self-released
2021
Single
1
Trevor Bolder was the bass player in Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Wishbone Ash and Uriah Heep, but passed away in 2013. VIAC Trevor Bolder – Sail The Rivers (2020)→
Sail The Rivers
Trevor Bolder
Hard Rock
Bolder Records
2020
CD
10
This is one of those reviews which is even more pointless than normal, as if you are a fan of Nirvana then this is an essential purchase, and if not then whatever I say will not convince you to go out and buy a 6-LP set.VIAC Nirvana – Songlife (1967-1972)→
Songlife
Nirvana
Psychedelic Rock, Prog Rock, Folk Rock
Madfish
2021
Box Set - 6xLP
10x12x10x2x9x13
Dusted off in the past to remember the future and brought to the center of the eye, unique archive recordings get restored for the audiovisual glory.
Formed in Hamburg in 1969, this English team were too eclectic for British taste with their widescreen psychedelic tapestries which couldn’t be restrained by prog binds, VIAC NEKTAR – …Sounds Like Swiss (2021)→
…Sounds Like Swiss
Nektar
Prog Rock
Think Like A Key Records
2021
2xCD, DVD
CD1-8, CD2-8, DVD-7
It has been three years since The Valley Of Tears – The Ballads, a compilation that focused on their quiet, more otherworldly and dreamy side, and now they are back with a companion release which focuses on the harder side. VIAC Magnum – Dance Of The Black Tattoo (2021)→
Dance Of The Black Tattoo
Magnum
Hard Rock, AOR
SPV / Steamhammer
2021
CD
14
50th Anniversary – Ashes Are Burning: An Anthology – Live In Concert
Renaissance
Symphonic Rock, Prog Rock
Symphonic Rock Recordings
2021
2xCD, DVD, Blue ray
11
Recorded in 1969, this was originally planned to be the third album for The Gods, before being released as being by Head Machine. The Gods were an important band in the late Sixties, less for their releases but who went through their ranks. VIAC Head Machine – Orgasm (1970)→
Orgasm
Head Machine
Hard Rock, Prog Rock
Major Minor
1970
LP
7
CD Aurora – AUCD5029 /UK, 2013/
Krautrock stalwarts make a convincing comeback to see tomorrow in the sky – and stay.
They didn’t really build progressive structures, preferring to frolic instead of sophisticating things beyond the need; however, this collective have always been considered part of Krautrock, VIAC KARTHAGO – Live At Rockpalast 2004 (2021)→
Live At Rockpalast 2004
Karthago
Prog Rock, Krautrock
MIG
2021
CD, DVD
13
Triumphant, if low-profile, return of Texan bluesman sees him slowly reconquering European stages by storm.
The ’80s and ’90s weren’t kind to John Nitzinger: he may have thrown in his lot with Alice Cooper in the beginning of the former decade but the guitarist would soon fall down on his luck to reemerge, VIAC NITZINGER – Live At Rockpalast 2001 (2021)→
Live At Rockpalast 2001
Nitzinger
Hard Rock, Blues Rock
MIG
2021
CD, DVD
8
The Flower Kings are back with their second album since their break, which saw long-time keyboard player Tomas Bodin no longer in the band. These days the line-up is Roine Stolt vocals, ukulele, guitars, additional keyboards and Hasse Fröberg (vocals, acoustic guitar), who has also been there since the beginning, bassist Jonas Reingold, who has now celebrated 20 years in the role, plus the new guys, Zach Kamins (keyboards) and Mirko DeMaio (drums). VIAC The Flower Kings – Islands (2020)→
Islands
The Flower Kings
Prog Rock
Inside Out Music
2020
2xCD
21
End Of Innocence
